Milk and dairy products as a possible source of environmental transmission of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is found worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 50% of the population is infected. The presence of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract is associated with the occurrence of serious human diseases such as chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer or gastric cancer. Therefore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified H. pylori as a Group 1 carcinogen in 1994. The routes of H. pylori transmission are not yet precisely known. Many authors agree that humans may become infected by H. pylori through foodstuffs. Milk is one of the basic foods of people of all age categories. Helicobacter pylori has been isolated from milk derived from various livestock, such as cows, sheep, goat, camel or buffalo milk. This review research paper indicates that H. pylori may be present in different types of foods and suggests that consumption of milk and selected dairy products may be a source of H. pylori infection for humans.